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SHOT Show news, new gun offerings, Christmas ideas

Christmas bulbs light up mule deer, blacktail and whitetail racks over the executive editor’s front doorway. (ANDY WALGAMOTT)

HOLIDAY CHEER SHOULD INCLUDE LOOK OVER HORIZON

SHOT SHOW OFF, BUT NEW GUNS ON THE WAY

By Dave Workman

For the first time in its history, there will not be a Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in January, due to continuing concerns about the coronavirus, and that can be taken as either good or bad, depending upon one’s perspective.

I’d likely be attending SHOT, but now that week of my life has been returned for some opportunities outdoors, provided the weather cooperates.

The cancellation message from Joe Bartozzi, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, was bittersweet.

“NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show,” he wrote. “While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show. Sadly, these spikes are currently transpiring worldwide.

“Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT,” he continued, “NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables. We truly appreciate the guidance of Nevada and Las Vegas officials in allowing us to communicate this news to our exhibitors and attendees well in advance of the show. We would also like to thank the Sands directly for their help and efforts to navigate this unprecedented situation.”

Among three new 320 Series shotguns from Stevens is the Turkey Thumbhole pump, chambered in 12- or 20-gauge for 3-inch shells. The other two are defense models. (STEVENS)

Does that mean you won’t be reading about new guns and gear for 2021 in these pages? Guess again, because California Sportsman and its sister publication, American Shooting Journal, will be keeping an eye on every new product announcement coming from the industry.

New guns and gear is a tradition for American sportsmen and -women. We’ll try very hard to not let you down.

PROVING OUR POINT, the gang at Savage recently announced the new thumbhole Stevens 320 Turkey model pump shotgun, part of a trio of new 320 models, the other two designed as defensive pump guns.

Let’s talk about that turkey model, because if you blink real hard, spring turkey season will be on before you realize it.

The Stevens 320 Turkey Thumbhole model features dual-action slide bars. Chambered in either 12- or 20-gauge for 3-inch shells, the 320 Turkey gun has a 22-inch chrome alloy steel vent rib barrel with an extended extra full choke tube (Win. Choke) for hammering those spring longbeards. It is fitted with an adjustable fiber optic turkey sight.

The gun is fitted with an OD green synthetic stock and forend, and the buttstock has an ambidextrous cheek riser and a textured surface on the grip to prevent slipping in damp weather. There’s a good recoil pad on the stock, and swivel studs on the stock and magazine cap for attaching a sling. It’s got an MSRP of $323.

The defensive models are also offered in 12- or 20-gauge, with 18.5-inch barrels. Also chambered for 3-inch magnums in either bore size, they have matte black synthetic stocks and forends, and sling swivel studs on the stock and magazine cap.

WITH CHRISTMAS COMING, if there’s a hunter on your list, get them something they can actually use in the field. Here are some thoughts from a guy who has gotten some real lemons from well-meaning people.

For the camping hunter, nothing beats a Coleman camp stove and/or a good lantern. Be sure to add a couple of canisters of fuel.

A new sleeping bag is a great gift for the hunter, especially the younger ones.

For people like me with cold feet, good socks are a welcome Yule gift, at least two pairs.

A folding table is invaluable in camp because it provides a platform for all the other things you might have, including cookware, a jug of water, and your dinner plate. You can find these at any big box store, usually for a good price.

Nobody will say “No” to a new box of ammunition, especially rimfires or shotgun shells. Get the right caliber/ gauge, of course.

And something else: A subscription to California Sportsman and/or American Shooting Journal.

And remember the best gift of all: your company, redeemable on demand. That is especially important to a youngster.

Having been born on Christmas Day well into the past century, I’ve had plenty of opportunity to think and talk about the holidays. This is the time of year you remember your hunting buddies, maybe inviting them over for an evening or making sure you at least give them a call and relive a memory from fall.

In my case, I’ll be chatting with my younger brother. I put him on a hefty three-point muley buck in October. He hasn’t had the opportunities I’ve enjoyed over the years as an outdoor/ gun writer, and I had plenty of time to punch this buck’s ticket, but there comes a moment when it is time to just say, “Your shot,” and take pride in the fact that the other guy, or gal, notches a tag.

That’s as much about what we do as putting another deer in the freezer, and maybe more so. Over the years, I’ve killed (yeah, I “harvest” corn and beans and potatoes) some dandy bucks. There was that monster fourpoint out in a southeast Wyoming basin, and the equally impressive four-pointer hit on the move across a small canyon southeast of Terry, Montana. I’ve got a four-by-five rack in the workshop from a mule deer taken over on the Snake River in eastern Washington a few years back.

But my brother’s buck has something over all of ’em. It was the one I passed up so he could have the shot and the bragging rights. I merely served as the spotter. Frank pressed the trigger, and he did the heavy work, field dressing and dragging it out.

You can’t put a pricetag on that. It’s the camaraderie of the campfire, the libation to a job well done, and the smile you share at sunset.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I’ll be thinking good thoughts about you at the campfire. CS

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